Title
Innovation District Water, WasteWater and Reclaimed Water Infrastructure Funding (B)
In December 2011, the City Commission authorized staff to prepare an ordinance to establish a funding mechanism for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water improvements needed to support redevelopment in the Innovation District (iDistrict). Several alternatives were evaluated by staff and the Economic Development/University Community Committee (EDUCC). The proposed approach includes the designation of water, wastewater, and reclaimed water “iDistrict Infrastructure Improvement Areas.” Within these areas GRU will construct necessary capacity improvements. The cost for these improvements will be recovered via infrastructure improvement area charges applied to the building square footage of new development within the designated areas. Staff will present the proposed approach. An ordinance implementing the charges is being prepared and will be presented to the City Commission for first reading on December 19, 2013.
Explanation
Significant capacity improvements to the potable and reclaimed water distribution systems and wastewater collection system will be required to meet projected future demands within the iDistrict and surrounding areas. GRU’s general water and wastewater extension policy requires that new development pay for the infrastructure improvements needed to serve it. This includes both additional piping needed to connect the development and improvements to existing facilities to increase capacity. Under the current policy, developers typically design and install most of these improvements, with GRU review and approval, as part of the design and construction for their development projects. GRU may elect to fund “oversizing” of improvements if deemed feasible. This policy is longstanding in the City of Gainesville and is common in many other municipalities.
There are unique characteristics within the iDistrict area that create a challenge for redevelop...
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